Vernon Election 2023: Dan Champagne, Mayor

VERNON, CT — Dan Champagne is running for mayor of Vernon in the 2023 election.

Name

Mayor Dan Champagne

How old will you be as of Election Day?

54

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

What city or town do you live in?

Vernon

What office are you seeking?

Vernon Mayor

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Masters in Public Administration(2009 University of Connecticut), Bachelor's Degree Sociology (1996 Eastern Ct. State University), Associate's Degree Criminal Justice (1990 Manchester Community College) rockville High School class of 1988.

What is your occupation?

Mayor of Vernon 2013 to present

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife- Karen Champagne, 2 daughters-Emily Champagne and Melissa Peace, Son-in-law Nathan Peace, grandson Maddox Peace (Age 3 in November), and Granddaughter Maeve Peace (Age 2 in November).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Wife is a kindergarten teacher at Northeast School

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Mayor Town of Vernon- 2013 to present, State Senator 35th district 2019-2023, Vernon Town Council 2005-2011

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am looking to be re-elected as Mayor to continue the great things that my team and I have been accomplishing. Over the past 10 years Vernon has seen many improvements(to many to list all of them); our Parks have expanded with Gene Pitney Park the miracle Field at Northeast School, and Windermere sports complex, Our trails have expanded, New Turf field at Rockville High School that was a Town and Board of Education project, Town roads continue to be re-paved, sidewalks are being added and repaired, our fire-houses continue to be renovated, new Fire trucks have been purchased, Christmas light show added to our annual celebration, our Ambulance has added full time members and expanded crews, town wide cost savings initiatives were put into place and the savings are now being felt, etc. Current projects that my team and I are working on include, New Pool at Henry Park, Tower renovations at Henry Park, completion of Citizen's Block building near town hall(this will be new office space for the probate court, youth services, Fire Marshall, Building Department, Engineering, Economic Development, planning department and a new Community room), downtown mill renovation project, completion of the Windermere Sports complex, and many more. At the same time Taxes have not increased in the past 6 years.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Cost of living- I will continue to find cost savings and keep taxes as low as possible. The cost of everything has increased over the past couple of years and I have a proven record keeping taxes low while keeping and expanding town services.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The biggest difference between myself and the other candidate is I have the education, experience and track record to continue to protect the services offered to our residents and to protect our hard earned money. Too many politicians promise results but I believe that I have delivered on all of my promises. I also believe in informing Vernon Residents of what is happening in Vernon and in our Government. Our Website and quarterly magazine provide a large amount insight into Vernon Government operations, activities available to residents and a community calendar. I am the Candidate who will continue to protect the Senior Center from those who did not support the new Senior Center and who oppose it being only for Seniors.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will continue to make Vernon/Rockville a better place to live, go to school, provide and expand activities for all, keep taxes as low as possible, protect public safety and continue to expand economic development(Our tax base continues to grow).

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have mentioned many of the accomplishments already but to summarize a few; No tax increases for the past 6 years, no cut in services, Ambulance services expanded (adding full time staff), Talcott mill and Loom City Lofts mill were completed after being stalled for years(after I was elected I brought the owners in and worked out a way to finish the mills), the majority of Vernon's roads were repaved, new and repaired sidewalks across town, New handicap fishing was installed at Valley Falls and Walker's reservoir, new fields, including the Windermere Sports Complex, The Miracle Field at Northeast School, and Gene Pitney Park, The repair and updating of most of the town buildings, repaved and expanded parking lots, New Senior Center, New Dog Park etc. I believe in thinking outside the box and getting things done. Vernon has led the way for many years with programs that brought together such as; the nationally recognized COVID vaccination program, Nip bottle return money used to clean up not just the Nip bottles but trash in different areas of town, and a shared services program that combines Town and Board of Education services that make our town run more efficient and saves the taxpayer money. These and other ideas are just a few examples that show I can handle being the Mayor of Vernon.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I started as a politician, the best advice given to me was to remember the number one job of a politician is public safety. Public Safety would include; fire, ambulance services, police, safe roads, sidewalks, refuse collection, etc.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As previously said I have the Education, training, and experience to continue to make my hometown a great place to live. I grew up in Vernon going to Center Road School, Sykes, Vernon Center Middle School and graduating Rockville High School in 1988. I was in the Connecticut Army National Guard from 1987 until 1992, serving out of the Vernon/Rockville Army National Guard Armory on West Street in Vernon. I was a Vernon Police Officer from 1990 until 2012 retiring as a Sergeant. I received numerous awards and commendations during my time as a police officer. The majority of my life I served the residents of the Town of Vernon because I love this town it is my home!